Beliefs

Beliefs are a method for our brain to categorise our experiences. They are generalisations we get from a number of sources.

• Our upbringing
o As a child we believe what we were told by adults. A child has no way of testing some beliefs so they persist unmodified into adulthood.

• Modelling other people
• Past traumas
• Repetitive experiences
o Of the world
o With other people
• Culture (shared beliefs)

Some beliefs are true like believing in gravity but others we just made up and are not true at all. They act as perceptual filters. We are Thinker/”Provers”. One part of us thinks (or believes) something and the other part of us just has look around for proof that it is true. If someone thinks that they are unlikable they will be sensitive to someone frowning or talking with a sharp tone while ignoring the smiles and happiness that usually surrounds them.

Beliefs can limit a person’s reality or empower them.
Limiting Beliefs

• Hopelessness
o Why bother?
• Helplessness
o Other people can but I can’t…
• Worthlessness
o I don’t deserve it!

Empowering Beliefs
• Possibility
o Is it possible?
• Ability
o Can I do it?
• Worthiness
o Do I deserve it?

We act according to our beliefs so there are a number inevitabilities:
• Behavioural Inevitabilities
• Emotional Inevitabilities
• Life-style Inevitabilities

There are two algorithms on which our beliefs are created:

Complex Equivalent: (A=B) A ‘means’ B. E.G. “She hasn’t phoned so she doesn’t like me.”

Cause and Effect: (C>E) A ‘causes’ B. E.G. “His not phoning makes me feel bad.”